Assessing Greek policies for energy efficiency in urban scale: The case of Chalepa neighbourhood

This study examines the environmental challenges and sustainability potential of Chalepa, a historic neighbourhood in Chania, Crete, through the lens of the LEED for Neighbourhood Development (LEED-ND) framework. While Greece’s national energy and climate strategies align with EU directives and promote energy efficiency and urban resilience, localized implementation remains uneven. Chalepa faces pressing issues such as coastal erosion, urban heat island effects, inefficient building stock, and inadequate mobility and waste infrastructure. Applying LEED-ND highlights critical deficits in transit accessibility, green infrastructure, and community engagement. Despite these shortcomings, Chalepa's cultural identity, mixed-use potential, and scenic character offer a foundation for sustainable transformation. The paper proposes context- specific strategies including coastal protection, energy retrofitting, green space revitalization, and sustainable transport enhancements, supported by participatory planning and nature-based solutions. The findings emphasize the need for integrated policy execution and capacity-building at the municipal level to align neighbourhood development with national climate and energy goals.